Rosa Cruz of San Antonio participates with Huntington University in mock trial competition

2013 Feb 28

Rosa Cruz of San Antonio, TX, participated in Huntington University's first mock trial competition with the American Mock Trial Association Feb. 23-24 at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Ind.

In preparation, the mock trial team gathered their case and chose witnesses. They even participated in a scrimmage against Manchester University two weeks before the competition to get a better handle on what mock trials are like on the collegiate and competitive level.

Cruz is a junior Political Science, Pre-Law Track and History major at HU.

Dr. Jeff Webb, professor of history and pre-law adviser at HU, has been slowly building momentum under the pre-law program to get to the point of participating in competitions. He began the process last January when he taught a mock trial J-Term class.

"I wanted the students to get a sort of feel for the competitive atmosphere that comes with mock trial," he said. "They began to understand the considerable commitment time this takes, but also appreciate the good mental training mock trial provides. To be successful in this professional field you have to be very good at public speaking and think on your feet. It's been a demanding but rewarding experience."

HU's mock trial team competed against institutions such Hillsdale College and the University of Chicago. Barber hoped the feedback his team received will prove useful in future competitions.

"We learned a lot from the judges' responses and watching more polished teams perform," he said. "There was a lot of constructive criticism we received that will definitely help the HU team in the future."

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest, and Forbes.com has listed the university as one of America's Best Colleges. Additionally, Princeton Review has named the institution a "Best Midwestern College." Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The university is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

For text of this and all Huntington University news releases, visit www.huntington.edu/news.